H1N1, The winter Flu Season and Vit D

So one of the biggest scares this year is H1N1 flu (aka Swine flu, Hini flu, etc etc). Right about now, most people I know have gotten H1N1 flu vaccine or are currently in the hours-long line up waiting for it.

What most of the public don't know is that there are alternatives to keeping the H1N1 flu, seasonal flu and the common cold at bay: in other words, keeping your immune system boosted!

Isn't it funny how people call it the SEASONAl flu? Ever wondered why? Most people fall sick with the SEASONAL flu in the winter! Hmmmm, what's different other than the temperature?

Well, Vitamin D is produced in our bodies when exposed to sunlight. Could it be that as Canadians, we get a lot less exposure to the sun in the winter months as we avoid the cold and we don't get much fewer daylight hours? I would think so! So perhaps one of the best ways to keep that flu and cold at bay is to increase your daily dose of Vitamin D!

Health Canada recommends a daily intake of 400IU -600IU of Vitamin D but recent research is showing that higher dosages will not only help to prevent cancer, but it will also boost your immune system. In fact, Canadian Cancer Society is recommending a daily vitamin D3 intake of 1000IU! Get this:The Public Health Agency in Canada began looking at Vitamin D as source of H1N1 protection in August 2009 and released the following recommendation: 5000IU daily for adults.

So who really needs to wait in line for those H1N1 vaccines if you can prevent it with natural means? By the way, this little rant of mine is definitely not anti-vaccines, I'm just out here saying there are alternatives out there...

That being said, Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and should be carefully monitored to avoid toxicity! Serum levels of Vitamin D should be conducted before any high dose Vitamin D protocol is implemented. Visit your local chiropractor or naturopath for more information and guidance!